The biggest whisky event in Singapore, Whisky Live, was back for another round in 2015, this time at Capella in Sentosa. Sam and I had been looking forward to it all year, and as the fateful weekend loomed, we were actually worried that we set expectations too high. Our fears were allayed when we reach the exhibition area; a more picturesque setting (without jetting off, at least) could not be asked for.
With the sheer volume of whiskies to taste and things to do, Sam and I decided to strategise a bit, and devised a plan to maximise the tastings in the most efficient way possible. Call it an economist thing.
Fortunately, the organisers did some of the thinking for us with some subtle experience design (quite a buzzword these days). On arrival at the event destination, we were greeted by a veritable fleet of Glencairn glasses, and collected a bottle of Fiji Water, both of which proved to be incredibly handy for the tastings to come. The latter was particularly important; one simply needs to cleanse the palate with a good drink of water after every tasting.
Despite the building anticipation to get our hands wrapped around a nice glass of whisky, we founds ourselves drawn irresistibly to the outdoor patio, where mixologists from Jigger and Pony, SugarHall, and FOC had set up shop, where Whisky Live proved that it wasn’t just about malts; no mention of whiskey, or even whiskey cocktails here, but what’s the rush?
Especially when the cocktails were as amazing as the “Cocktail with No Name” from the good folks from FOC. Don Papa Rum was mixed with condensed milk, spiced with pink peppercorn and orange zest, and finished with a light drizzle of Gula Melaka. Pleasantly surprising, the cocktail was not cloying as one would suspect, allowing the spices and rum to retain the centerstage. Amazing stuff.
We have been at the event sipping cocktails for a good half hour, with our “clever” plan to maximise tasting in shambles. We felt a pull to the inviting embrace of the main whiskey exhibition area. with its train of 27 distilleries neatly boothed along the gentle curves of the Capella’s Grand Ballroom. We immediately made a beeline to the Kavalan booth, where a generous gift awaited us.
Kavalan Booth at Whisky Live 2015
For those who might not be familiar, the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique was named the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky in the 2915 World Whiskies Awards. It’s almost impossible to get your hands around a bottle of this without pawning your arm and leg away. Beyond rankings and ratings, the Vinho Barrique was plummy, fruity and slightly tart, with distinctive notes of coffee and caramel coming into the end of the initial taste and into the finish.
Other of the Vinho Barrique, there were other whiskies in the Solist range for tasting, including the Bourbon and Sherry Casks. We especially liked the powerful punch of the sherry cask, which rounded off with good balance, and leaving only a pleasantly light, sweet aftertaste. Master Blender Ian Chang was also present to give a masterclass, showing off some delightful new expressions of the Solist Range, such as Manzanilla Sherry, Amontillado Sherry and PX Sherry, …that will hopefully coming soon.
The Dalmore station, which, with its autoshow-like fixtures, was easily the most eye-catching. More to the point, the work of Master Distiller Richard Paterson (he of the “throw the whisky out of the glass” fame) was something we were eager to sample. We found some of the Dalmore single malts a little less bold than we’d have liked, but the new Dalmore King Alexander III was particularly interesting. This expression was matured in wine, Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, Kentucky bourbon and Port Casks, culminating in a complex and interesting dram. We’re excited to see what’s next.
There were of course other favourites who had set up shop again this year. Douglas Cook, a true-blue Scotsman (the kilt was a dead giveaway), was in town to share more about Glendronach single malts, including the new 8-year-old expression. Glendronach 15 is one of my favourites, but it was sadly not available for tasting thanks to overwhelming demand far outstripping the supply (one of those economist things again). Douglas was a charming fellow who was open-handed in sharing some truly hard to find whiskies during his masterclass; we shall continue to pine for the Glendronach 1995 and the Glendronach Cask Strength.
Ireland is the birthplace of whiskey, and the Irish were not to be outdone; Teeling set up shop as well to let discerning Scotch drinkers have a taste of the lighter-style Irish whiskeys (note the “e” in the spelling; Irish whiskey is distinct from Scottish whisky). Sam and I normally prefer heavier, stronger whiskies, but we both recognised the Teeling Single Malt as a quality product. With a texture as smooth as silk, combined with light citrus, melon and spice notes, it was a good counterbalance to the heavier drams on offer.
Speaking of heavy drams, Bruichladdich set up shop as well. The Islay distiller has really ramped up its game recently, and there were some really spectacular releases for us to sample. While the Classic Laddie was a decent unpeated dram, we’re there for the smokiness of their peated malts. Aficionados will know doubt be aware the Octomore commands a very hefty price tag despite its relative youth at 5 years of maturation. I was dying to get my grubby mitts on some of it, and the whisky did not disappoint. Ultra-peaty, the nose hit like a cannonball, but there were other complex notes of salt and fruit present that really sealed the deal. The peat was there on the tongue, of course, but it was mixed in with some brine, ginger, orange, lemon and nuts. The fire from the peat slowly melts away on the finish. Excellent. Worth the money, certainly.
Readers will know I love my Balvenie, and it was in 2014’s Whisky Live that I discovered them. This time, they literally took centrestage and showed off some of their malts. It was a little disappointing that they didn’t show off the 21 year old Portwood, but the 17 year Doublewood and 14 Year Carribean Cask were both on display, and the 15 Year Sherry Cask was offered at the Masterclass by Neil Strachan.
What I find admirable is Balvenie’s support for craftsmen; in an age of mass-produced identical products, lack of informed clientele and high costs, the handmade and the personal have become rare and precious indeed. I’m glad that local leatherworkers, shoemakers and silkscreeners all got the chance to showcase their wares here.
It wasn’t just about whisky. Other spirits got their air time. Rum in particular, was particularly interesting to me. I signed up for a couple of masterclasses by Luca Gargano, owner of Velier Rums and what he had to say was very interesting. Despite their commonalities, whisky and rum are very different spirits today. Luca shared his journey through the Caribbean in search of quality spirit, and surprise, surprise, it is the small-scale distillers who produce truly fine white rum. I tried the Haitian rum Clairin Sejous, produced by a Mr Sejous, and it was bursting with flavours of tropical fruit. The aged rums are no slouches either, and Luca was generous enough to let us taste some Caronis (now defunct) and Velier Diamond 1999. Like their unaged kin, they were absolutely exploding with flavour, but now tempered by wood aging and taking on caramel and oak notes. Exquisite and a match for top-quality whiskies.
Overall, Whisky Live 2015 was a great experience, one that we went home properly boozy from. With some great exhibitors coming to showcase their wares, novice and serious drinker alike would enjoy wandering through the fine whiskies and attending the masterclasses. If there’s a minor quibble, it would be the location. While beautiful, Capella was somewhat difficult to get to, and the responsible drinker would find it quite hard to hail a cab after the event. Still, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and can’t wait for Whisky Live 2016!
Thanks to Fiji Water who provided the opportunity for us to enjoy the fine spirits at Whisky Live 2015.
